Kendra Tardif & Randy White

April 18
|
Charlotte, NC

Photographed by: Lauren Rosenau Photography

After becoming acquainted through Match.com, Kendra Tardif and Randy White quickly discovered they had plenty to chat about. “Our first date was notable because of how easily we talked – we had so much in common. It lasted for 10 hours!” Kendra recalls. When Randy made the decision to propose to his sweetie, he elected to make a trip out of his big question. “It took place in New York City,” tells Kendra. “Randy took me there to see the Eagles in concert for my birthday and surprised me with a chartered yacht tour on the Hudson River, which is when he proposed.”

This being Kendra’s second wedding, she put a lot of trust into her wedding coordinator for the intricate decisions. Over their short seven-month engagement, the pair worked closely with her to bring all of the pieces together. “[Being busy people,] we knew we did not have the time to interpret the vision we wanted for our special day… hiring a wedding planner was the best decision we made!” the bride reveals. After selecting an upscale hotel venue in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kendra and Randy set out to design their nuptials. One aspect Kendra knew from the start: her color scheme. “I wanted a blush, silver, grey, and cream palette,” she notes.

On a bright spring morning, the couple’s friends and family gathered in the bright ceremony space. In symbolically combining their two families, the bride’s daughter and two sons, as well as the groom’s daughter and son, were all included in the wedding party. Kendra, who donned an ivory trumpet-style gown and clasped a bouquet of blush and cream perennials, was escorted down the aisle by her young sons, sporting dark charcoal tuxedos along with the rest of the groomsmen and the groom himself. She joined her bridesmaids – all in flowing grey dresses – and her beloved at the altar, flanked by two opulent, cascading floral arrangements. After saying their “I dos,” the party quickly moved to the reception space, accessible by a wide staircase lined with small votives and foliage-covered handrails.

Guests found their seats at intimate tables displaying table linens in either blush or ivory: some with sequins and some with ruching. Tables held a variety of centerpieces, alternating between low and high, but all containing the same assortment of blooms in shades of pink and white, accented by subtle greenery. “I wanted to have a different feel for each table,” says the bride. “We had enormously tall and full centerpieces on some tables, we mixed floral runners on some, and had low groupings of flowers in mercury-glass containers on others – and we had candles everywhere.” The space also included a relaxing lounge area with personalized pillows and a reflective coffee table on which to place beverages.

After their buffet-style dinner and some lively dancing, the newlyweds cut into their gorgeous, four-tiered cake which showcasing intricate frosting with silver and pearl adornments and a large letter “W” brushed in silver as the topper. “It was timeless and elegant,” beguiles Kendra. When it comes to planning the big day, the bride stresses the importance of optimism. “Relax,” she insists. “Focus on the marriage aspect: not just the wedding. You are marrying the person of your dreams – don’t get so caught up in the details that you lose sight of what the day really means.” In Kendra’s case, this was the merging not just of two hearts, but two families. “The whole event was amazing… I think the most poignant moment for us was when our five children made their toast!” she smiles.